Cycle City Ambition Grants

38 Pages·2013·3.3 MB·English

Cycle City Ambition Grants

Guidance on the Application Process is published alongside this application form on the
Department’s website.

Please include all relevant information with your completed application form.

The level of information provided should be proportionate to the size and complexity of the
package proposed. As a guide, for a small programme (ie a city with less than 250,000
population) we would suggest around 25-35 pages including annexes would be appropriate.

One application form should be completed per project.

Applicant Information

Local authority name(s)*: West Yorkshire ITA/ PTE is the lead authority, the financial account
holder and the Local Transport Authority and (interim) Local Transport Body. This submission is
a joint proposal with Leeds City Council and the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

*If the bid is a joint proposal, please enter the names of all participating local authorities and
specify the lead authority

Bid Manager Name and position: Gwyn Owen, Project Manager (Leeds City Council)

Name and position of officer with day to day responsibility for delivering the proposed scheme.

Contact telephone number: 0113 2478914 Email address: [email protected]

Postal address: Highways and Transportation
Leeds City Council
Middleton Ring Road
Leeds
LS10 4AX

When authorities submit a bid for funding to the Department, as part of the Government’s
commitment to greater openness in the public sector under the Freedom of Information Act
2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, they must also publish a version
excluding any commercially sensitive information on their own website within two working days
of submitting the final bid to the Department. The Department reserves the right to deem the
business case as non-compliant if this is not adhered to.

Please specify the weblink where this bid will be published: the application form will be loaded
onto the following web link: www.wymetro.com/news
SECTION A - Project description and funding profile

A1. Project name: Highway to Health

A2. Headline description:

Please enter a brief description of the proposed scheme (in no more than 100 words)

Building on the fantastic opportunity presented by Yorkshire’s hosting the Tour de France 2014, a transformational
package of cycle infrastructure improvements is proposed. This includes a segregated Superhighway from east
Leeds to Bradford, at 23km the longest continuous cycleway in the north of England (Figure 1), providing
connectivity to key employment and regeneration sites (Figure 2).
New connections in Leeds City Centre will provide continuity to other radial routes (with extensive secure cycle
parking facilities) and the Canal Tow Path will be upgraded.
This is supported by a comprehensive behavioural change programme overseen by a new multi-sector
engagement team.
Figure 1: An Overview of the Scheme

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Figure 2: An Overview of the Leeds City Centre Package

A3. Geographical area:

Please provide a short description of area covered by the bid (in no more than 100 words)

The continuous cycleway stretches from Bradford City Centre, through Leeds City Centre, to Seacroft and key
Housing Growth areas in East Leeds.
The Canal Tow Path upgrade continues from Armley in west Leeds to Shipley in east Bradford. Both routes provide
linkages to key employment and regeneration sites including a number of large employers at Thornbury Gyratory.
Within Leeds City Centre key cycle links to other radial routes will be upgraded, as will cycle parking facilities,
transforming connectivity into the City Centre. As the economic focus of Leeds City Region, benefits are far
reaching (Figure 3).

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Figure 3: The Geographical Area of the bid in the Context of Leeds City Region

A4. Total DfT funding contribution sought (£m): £18,051,878

A5. Equality Analysis

Has any Equality Analysis been undertaken in line with the Equality Duty? Yes No

Appendix 4 contains the Equality Analysis assessment

A6. Partnership bodies

Please provide details of the partnership bodies (if any) you plan to work within the design and
delivery of the proposed scheme. This should include a short description of the role and
responsibilities of the partnership bodies (which may include Development Corporations,
National Parks Authorities, private sector bodies and transport operators) with confirmatory
evidence of their willingness to participate in delivering the bid proposals.

Table 1 summarises the role of each delivery partner involved in ensuring the successful delivery of the Cycle City
Ambition Bid. Appendix 5 contains a Letter of Support for each organisation included in Table 1.

Table 1: Summary of the Roles of each Organisation.
Organisation Role
West Yorkshire ITA - Integrated Programme Management
Transport Authority and Passenger
Programme Board
Transport Executive
Change Management
Benefits Realisation
Delivery Partner – Active travel Organisation
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City of Bradford Metropolitan District Programme Board
Council - Highway Authority Delivery Partner - Infrastructure and Active travel Organisation
Leeds City Council - Highway Programme Board
Authority Delivery Partner - Infrastructure and Active travel Organisation
Public Health Leeds - Director of Programme Board
Public Health Delivery Partner - Active travel Organisation
Public Health Bradford - Director of Programme Board
Public Health Delivery Partner - Active travel Organisation
Canal & River Trust - Charity Programme Board
Delivery Partner –infrastructure delivery
City of York Council Programme Board – delivery of Tour de France Legacy Strategy

In addition to the organisations listed in Table 1, Table 2 provides a summary of other organisations that will also
be involved in the delivery of specific elements of the work. A letter of support has been provided for each
organisation and included in Appendix 5.

Table 2: Summary of Other Organisations Involved in Scheme Delivery
West Yorkshire Police
Northern Rail - Transport operator Yorkshire & The Humber Regional Cycling Delivery
Group (- Partnership of all Yorkshire & Humber Local
Authorities for delivery of Tour de France Legacy)
CTC - Cycle Charity (advisory role through Travel Sustrans - Cycle Charity (advisory role through Travel
Choices Board) Choices Board)
British Cycling - Sport governing body Unilever plc - Private sector body
University of Bradford Morrison Supermarkets plc - Private sector body
University of Leeds Bradford Chamber of Commerce - Private sector
partnership
Bespoke - Bradford Cycle Campaign Leeds Chamber of Commerce - Private sector
partnership
Leeds Cycle Action Group - Leeds Cycle Campaign Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

A7. Local Enterprise Partnership / Local Transport Body Involvement

It would be beneficial (though not essential) if the relevant LEP or LTB (or shadow(s)) have
considered the bid and, if necessary, prioritised it against other bids from the same area. If
possible, please include a letter from the LEP / LTB confirming their support and, if more than
one bid is being submitted from the area, the priority ranking in order of growth significance.

Have you appended a letter from the LEP / LTB to support this case? Yes No
A letter of support is included in Appendix 5.

SECTION B – The Business Case

You may find the following DfT tools useful in preparing your business case:

• Transport Business Cases
• Behavioural Insights Toolkit
• Logic Mapping Hints and Tips

B1. The Scheme - Summary

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Please give a detailed description of the scheme being proposed, including the objectives:

This application form is supported by a Major Scheme Business Case. A Logic Map has been included in the Major
Scheme Business Case as Figure 25. This set out how the Package Bid fulfils the objectives set in the Logic Map
by considering how the individual outputs generate outcomes and then how the impacts from these outcomes fulfil
the objectives. The Highway to Health programme objectives set out in the Logic Map are as follows:
- To increase walking and cycling so that it becomes part of residents healthy living plan
- To make cycling a natural and popular choice for short journeys
- To make cycling accessible to all low income and vulnerable groups
- Improve access to employment, skills and education
- Reduce CO2 and improve to local air quality
- Create a safe environment for active modes

The overall approach is designed to realise the huge potential for significant increases in both cycling and walking
through a long term strategy that focuses on:

- Environment - creating a cycle and pedestrian friendly environment, with a high quality physically segregated
network into the main centres (hub and spoke provision);

-Encouragement - a wide range of activities to encourage people to try cycling and walking, and to cycle and walk
more often; and

- Engagement – establishing a framework for working with a wide range of third sector organisations, utilising their
expertise, energy and enthusiasm.

The scheme is summarised as Table 3:

Table 3: Scheme Description by Component
Components Description Rationale for Inclusion
Environment Activities
Cross City Cycle High quality segregated cycle route from The route passes through a number of deprived areas
Superhighway (City Leeds City Centre through to the new where cycling and walking has potential to expand
Centre to Seacroft housing developments beyond Seacroft. access to employment opportunities. The cycle
with East Leeds infrastructure along this route will provide a safe, healthy
Extensions) and low cost option. There are also linkages to a number
of regeneration and employment areas as well as the
East Leeds Extension (a key Housing Growth Area).
Cross City Cycle High quality segregated cycle route from The route will provide a safe high quality connection to
Superhighway Leeds City Centre through Stanningley and Leeds City Centre from Bradford City Centre, via major
(A647 via into Bradford. Public realm streetscape employment centres at Thornbury Gyratory and
Stanningley Centre scheme will be implemented through the Dawsons Corner, connecting a number of communities
to Bradford City centre of Stanningley to create a cycle and key regeneration areas along the route. The Leeds –
Centre) friendly environment. Bradford corridor is the most important and heavily used
transport corridor in the Leeds City Region, with many
shorter journeys as well as trips between the two major
city centres.
Cycle City Loop A series of cycle routes that improve Leeds City Centre is the focus for economic activity in
(Leeds City Centre) connectivity by cycle into the City Centre. the Leeds City Region. Currently it is not conducive for
cycling in many areas suppressing the number of users
who could commute (or travel for other purposes) into
the City Centre by cycle. The inclusion of these routes
will also unlock the existing infrastructure to a much
larger number of cyclists.
Canal Towpath The canal tow path was upgraded from The route serves two purposes: it provides a connection
upgrade Riddleseden through Bradford to Leeds to from both Leeds and Bradford to green space and serves
National Cycle Network standard in Local as a commuter route in the. The route also presents a
Transport Plan 1 (2001 – 2006). However, great opportunity to connect with the new developments
this has started to deteriorate due to at Kirkstall Forge, and Clariant/Riverside Mills. The bid
excessive levels of usage. The upgrade to seeks to upgrade the surface of this route so that it can
the Canal Tow Path from Shipley through to be ridden on road bicycles, as well as mountain bikes,
Armley would create a continuous high thereby enhancing its inherent attractiveness.
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Components Description Rationale for Inclusion
Environment Activities
quality tow path from the Yorkshire Dales
through to Leeds providing linkages into the
main towns along the route, and to the rail
stations at Leeds and Shipley.
High Quality Cycle Sheltered cycle parking facilities across the To provide an attractive and safe location where cycles
Parking in Leeds city centre and at key points on the can be left for long periods of time, such as daily
City Centre & other Superhighway. commuters. Parking complements the cycleways and
key locations. provides a rounded journey experience for users in the
hub of the Leeds City Region and along the route. This
compliments the cycle parking that is already provided at
the end of the Cycle City Superhighway in Bradford City
Centre.
20mph zones Expansion of 20 mph zones to enable safe It is essential to create a more cycle, and pedestrian,
cycle access within local communities and to friendly environment in local communities (as many
(part match
provide safe and easy access to the core journey are local). As well as providing safe and easy
funding)
route. access to a network of high quality segregated routes.
Encouragement and Engagement
Active Travel A multi-sector organisation will coordinate all Coordinating the promotion of cycling schemes ensures
Organisation encouragement and engagement activity that maximum coverage is gained out of the funding.
around active travel across West Yorkshire. West Yorkshire has a great deal of expertise in
This organisation will undertake the behaviour change activities. It also has a strong mix of
information, education, training, events and cycling activists, instructors and cycle clubs, and a new
engagement activity described below. It will organisation will allow the widest range of people to be
particularly focus on women, hard to reach involved as activists and ambassadors.
groups and the disabled.
The new organisation provides for a step change in
delivery from the current situation.

The Board of the new active travel organization will provide direction to staff but will be advised by a Steering
Group including Local Action Groups and third sector organisations. It will also be informed by regular and detailed
market research. In addition to the new organisation, Leeds City Council and Bradford Metropolitan District Council
public health teams are also contributing funding to deliver further awareness raising and educational sessions for
cycling. This will be particularly aimed at schools and hard to reach groups in areas where the health inequalities
are large.

Activity to be delivered through match funding
The region has a long tradition of behavioural change activity, best exemplified by the West Yorkshire Travel Plan
network, with its membership of 200 employers covering quarter of a million employees, and by the coordinated
activity around schools travel planning. More recently LSTF has enabled the establishment of go:cycling, which is
an initiative designed to engage with cyclists and potential cyclists to increase take up. ‘go:cycling’ activities
includes cycle training, mass engagement events, led rides and other promotional activities.

It is critical that behaviour change activity, particularly around active travel provides a mechanism to involve and
engage organisations and individuals dedicated to cycling, and is not dependent on successful funding bids at
regular intervals. We have chosen to address this by setting up new a new multi-sector organisation with the key
role of promoting active travel. The organisation will be governed by a Board with district and PTE representation.
This will initially be funded through the Local Transport Plan. The organisation will employ staff to deliver the range
of activities summarised in Table 4. A particular focus to their activities will be on the routes proposed as part of the
infrastructure package where ‘champions’ will be identified to ensure that the initiatives are effectively delivered.
The new organization will allow for coordination of best practice, drawing in part on expertise in York and third
sector partners via a virtual knowledge hub and regular networking events.

A further element that will be provided in part by the match funding will be the development of 20mph zones
connecting local communities to the cycleway. This will ensure that where there are no segregated cycleways,
cyclists can reach the cycleway in the safest possible manner.
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Table 4: Summary of the Activities to be delivered by the Active Travel Organisation
Components Description Rationale for Inclusion
Information Electronic: Easy access active travel information In order for travellers to make choices about using
initiatives will be made available via the web, and to mobile active travel, they need easy access to information in a
devices. Walking and cycling will form part of way that suits them: electronic or printed, on the move,
Journey Planning tools. Messages will be with real time updates if required, and clear on-street
displayed on real time screens and in bus stations. signs.
Print: Walking and cycling maps will be produced.
Walking and cycling will also be given prominence

within a range of printed information outputs, such
as within bus and rail timetables, in a range of
other leaflets and on outdoor info displays.

Signage: Key routes and parking facilities will have
The role of signage is crucial in supporting cyclists to
iconic signage that also has the function of
make new journeys.
promoting the facilities to potential cyclists.
Education and The LSTF funded go:cycling initiative will expand Training: from schools to colleges and Further
training and continue beyond March 2015 to offer adults Education to employment sites - will offer potential
cycle training, maintenance and support. This will cyclists the chance to develop skills with the right
work in partnership with the Travel Plan Network, support available so that they become confident to take
aimed at employers/employees and at higher the next steps in cycling activity.
education establishments.
Go:cycling have already engaged with over 4000 new
Bikeability will continue in schools, together with cyclists and will deliver 27000 engagements in total by
educational programmes aimed at encouraging March 2015.
sustainable travel, and supporting the mainstream
curriculum.
Training events will be developed to target
disabled groups, vulnerable and hard to reach
groups and to build on current good practice in this
area.
Events Events such as led rides, mass participation There is already a strong tradition of led rides in West
events like Skyride, and events involving regular Yorkshire with Skyride planned for Leeds in early July
road closures to encourage cycling will be a and Bradford in August 2013. Further regular large
regular feature of the promotional package. scale events are planned, which will communicate to
cyclists and potential cyclists that cycling is both normal
and enjoyable.
Consolidation Activities such as the current workplace cycle It is important that there is a strategy for encouraging
and capacity challenge will be increased to embed cycling as a occasional cyclists, who may come to a mass
building regular mode choice. participation event or cycle training session to become
regular commuter cyclists.
Community champions are being identified both for
the current route and for routes plans post-2015 so It is also crucial that the further roll out of cycle routes
that the routes have full local consultation, and their promotion are owned by the community.
community engagement is builds on current Engagement needs to be meaningful and lasting.
practice, and support can then be made available
to develop capacity to encourage active travel.
Another element of capacity building is to ensure
access to cycles. The West Yorkshire go:cycling
initiative has already invested, via its delegated
fund, in recycling bike projects particularly for job
seekers and those unable to afford a new bike.

The package described here is part of a 10 year vision. This is described in greater detail in the Major Scheme
Business Case and the Vision Document.
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B2. The Strategic Case

This section should set out the rationale for making the investment and evidence on the
strategic fit of the proposal. It should also contain an analysis of the existing problems and
barriers, explain how the preferred scheme was selected and explain what the predicted
impacts will be (please make reference to the guidance document).

A) The Leeds City Region Context
Leeds and Bradford are situated at the heart of Leeds City Region and are central to its function. The Leeds City
Region is the UKs largest economy outside of London generating 5% of the UK’s gross value added (GVA) and
employing 1.3 million people1. As Leeds and Bradford are key economic providers in the region, The Leeds City
Region Transport Vision2 places emphasis on effective connectivity between the two cities as a high priority. The
following overarching objectives are set by the vision:
1. Connect all our core centres within the city region to each other;
2. Connect our population to core centres, to employment sites, education and training, retail and leisure
facilities within the city region;
3. Connect our core centres to other city regions in the UK – most importantly Sheffield, Manchester and
London;
4. Connect our core centres to international airports and ports serving the city region; and
5. Provide choice and ensure that the growth in car use is minimised.

The Leeds City Region Transport Strategy (2009) identifies that trips between Leeds and Bradford provide the
single largest two-way flow in the City Region – there are over 15,000 daily one way trips between Bradford and
Leeds and over 21,000 one way trips between Leeds and Bradford. The strategy highlights the slow journey times
on the corridor and the implications of forecast growth in terms of worsening congestion levels and reliability of bus
services. There is also limited provision for alternative modes of transport, such as cycling. Cycling is an important
low cost mode of transport, which can provide good connectivity between the local communities between Leeds
and Bradford and the key areas of employment along the corridor.
There are low levels of cycling currently and a lack of a commuter cycling culture across West Yorkshire. Although
there is a strong history of sports and leisure cycling, with several successful Olympians for this area, and a core of
very active cyclists, this has not translated into a visible cycling culture and a critical mass of utility cycling.
The Transport for Leeds study showed that people were ready to change their behaviour due to congestion. This
was particularly the case for short journeys suggesting that there is significant amount latent demand for cycling.
The approach that we are adopting and the likely increase in ridership is consistent with the findings of the recently
published Get Britain Cycling Report.
Leeds and Bradford districts have a strong and successful working relationship, including the development of ultra-
fast broadband and wifi zones. Other examples include collaboration on the development of Route 72.

B) The Unique Opportunity - The Tour de France
Yorkshire is hosting the Grand Depart of the Tour de France in 2014. This is an exciting and one-off opportunity for
the region and one which is greatly anticipated. Leeds, as the starting point for the Tour de France is keen to
maximise the opportunities gained from this high profile event. Awarding the start of the Tour de France to
Yorkshire in 2014 is capitalising on an increasing appetite for the sport within the region.
The Grand Depart is seen as a great opportunity locally to encourage the take up of cycling. Every Chief Executive
across Yorkshire and the Humber has committed to being fully engaged in the event. A legacy group has been set
up to ensure the full benefit of the Tour de France promotion is obtained. The Legacy group is organising a number
of events, including cycle rides along the tour route. Skyride mass participation events are planned for early July
2013 (Leeds) and late August (Bradford) as well as Skyride Local in the other West Yorkshire districts. The legacy

1 http://www.leedscityregion.gov.uk/about/
2Leeds City Region (2010) A long Term Vision for Transport in Leeds City Region, Appendix 4, http://www.leedscityregion.gov.uk/
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work also encompasses infrastructure improvements. Local and sub-regional action groups have been established
and are developing action plans to contribute to the whole. All local authorities in the Yorkshire and the Humber
region have come together to take this forward along with British Cycling, Sustrans and the CTC. The Tour de
France owner (ASO) has stated that this is the largest and most well supported legacy initiative.
The aim of the Tour de France legacy group is to achieve increases in cycle usage as a utility and leisure mode
with improved links to cycling as a sport, through the recognition of the Olympics and the rise in cycling in Britain
overall. Importantly, working with local partners, schools and businesses to ensure the benefits of this will be seen
and felt at all levels for those living, working and visiting our towns, cities and countryside. Due to the strong
synergies in terms of timescale and the type of schemes that are being considered, this bid has been developed in
partnership with the Tour de France legacy team to ensure that the synergies are maximised.

C) Opportunities for Change
The Take Up of Cycling
Data recently released from the 2011 Census shows that cycling comprises 1.9% of journeys to work trips in Leeds
and 0.8% of journeys to work in Bradford. Since the 2001 census, the proportion of Travel to Work journeys by
cycling has increased in Leeds by 70%. This is the largest increase in West Yorkshire.
This demonstrates that there is a growing appetite for cycling within the district. This growth in cycling is supported
by the Active Peoples Survey (2012). This showed that the proportion of participants who cycle for both leisure and
as a mode of transport at least once a month in Leeds was 10.3%, which is the highest in West Yorkshire. 4.2% of
the participants surveyed in Leeds cycle once a week for leisure. In Bradford, although a lower proportion (6.4%)
cycle at least once a month for leisure and as a mode of transport, 4.6% of respondents cycle once a week for
recreational purposes.
Releasing the Suppressed Demand for Cycling
Despite the increases in cycling identified in the 2011 Census, the proportion of people that travel to work by
bicycle is still low compared with other cities. The LTP3 consultation highlighted three key issues as barriers to
greater levels of cycling:
- A lack of Infrastructure;
- Safety Concerns; and
- Training and Education issues.

Metro undertakes an annual LTP Tracker Survey. The 2012 survey identifies the proportion of residents that have
used each transport mode in the last month. The Tracker survey also assesses customer perceptions of the quality
of a range of transport services and facilities.
Table 5: Local area cycling provision satisfaction
Attribute Bradford Leeds
Provision of cycle routes where these are needed 5.2 5.7
Condition of cycle routes 5.6 5.6
Cycle crossing facilities at road junctions and traffic signals 5.5 4.7
Secure cycle parking 4.0 4.3
Direction signing for cycle routes 5.5 5.0
Cycle routes being kept clear of debris and obstructions (e.g parked cars) 5.9 6.5
Source: 2012 Metro Tracker Survey
Note: 10 = very satisfied, 1 = very dissatisfied

Table 6: General cycling provision satisfaction
Attribute Bradford Leeds
Route information (e.g maps) 4.0 5.0
Training (e.g schools/work) 5.8 5.5
Facilities at work e.g racks/showers 5.6 5.1
Source: 2012 Metro Tracker Survey
Note: 10 = very satisfied, 1 = very dissatisfied

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